4 to a 5 speed advice

[Blevvv]

ok guys, as we all know me and dave are off on a bit of adventure in are 410, and we still have are stock 4 speed and it changes gear like a hot knife thru butter,
but we are a bit limited to 45-50 mph and seeing as we are going to end up driving to Mongolia and back its going to be grueling task on the 970cc engine to sit there reeving away for about 10,000 miles (and the rest) so we fancy a 5 speed so are little engine can sit at lower revs ,
now iv seen 410 5 speeds about take it there out the satanas, no offense to the Spanish SJ's out there but i heard they aren't as reliable as there jap built equivalents now i know the 413 had a 5 speeds in them.
so im wondering what what would you guys recommend?

and while im posting a thread save a 2nd post
thinking about a wider track? as samurai axles? am i right in thinking there wider than the sj's?

[twiss]

With the spanish vs japanese argument, in my opinion its more to do with stuff like wiring and using cheaper components. I wouldn't imagine you'd have a problem with the gearbox as they are probably made in Japan anyway

I know a few people with 5 speed 410s who haven't had any gearbox issues.

Personally, I probably would go for the 5 speed, driving such a long distance, although you will only be using 5th on decent roads and they tend to disappear once you get out of europe!

As for widening the truck, Samurai axles are wider, but it would involved moving the spring perches on the axles. I think you would be better off with either off-set wheels, or wheel spacers to give you a bit of extra width

[Edweird]

What Twiss said.

There's nothing wrong with the 410 5-speed boxes. The 4-speed is Japan built only, but the 5-speed box was fitted into the type 3 onwards 410s built in both Japan and Spain.

I'd go for machined billet spacers if I really wanted to widen my SJ's track, but to be honest I've never felt the need to.....just make sure you've got decent springs. Don't make the mistake a few of us did and get Lesjofors. Spend the extra money and get Llama 4x4 springs. If you tell Dave you want standard height 3 leaf springs he'll see you right I'm sure. Lots of people recommend him and I regret not going to him first for springs.

[twiss]

I agree about the springs! I would also make sure you don't have the single leaf springs...
I wouldn't want to drive very far on them!

[Blevvv]

Yeah! Good shout thought about vitara wide boys alloys, but I'd say there a tad to big haha,
So 410 box it is,
If found one for sale? Anyone know if its a straight fit? Or any mods needed for the job

[Jay18]

ive got fatboy 8j alloy wheels on mine and when i fitted them with the 255 60 r15's they went straight on no problem, they sit 3" further out from the body of a 410 so give a wider track and makes the handling alot better...

ive got a santana 5 speed gearbox sitting in the shed, not fitted it yet though and had it for a good few months now lol so i dont know what its going to be like...

[timwilks13]

i too have a 410 5 speed that im no longer needing if you need mate.

[Edweird]

Yeah! Good shout thought about vitara wide boys alloys, but I'd say there a tad to big haha,
So 410 box it is,
If found one for sale? Anyone know if its a straight fit? Or any mods needed for the job

It's a relatively easy job. It should bolt up to the engine no problem. You will need the prop shaft from the gearbox to the T-box as the 5-speed is a longer gearbox so has a shorter shaft. You'll also need to fabricate a rear gearbox mount and might have to make the transmission tunnel hole for the stick a little bit bigger.

[Jay18]

i thought the santana box was the same as the 4 speed? the propshaft is the same length isnt it? and the gearbox mount? dazerede has done it and i dont think he had any problems...

[dan_2k_uk]

Think some of the very early 410s had a slightly shorter box so Eds metal dash would probably have had one.

I drove all over the place in Helens 410 with the 4 speed in it.

Maybe you can kill two birds with one stone and fit some slightly bigger tyres to help with the top end and gain a bit more ground clearance at the same time.

Not too big though or you will never get to the top end.